How to bedazzle a book cover

What to know first

Paper and card are porous, so thick water-based glues work well here where they wouldn’t on plastic. But watery glue makes paper cockle and boards curl, so use a thick glue sparingly. The spine hinge bends every time the book opens: stones there fall off first.

What you need

• Hardback book or journal
• 3 mm resin rhinestones
• Gem-Tac or thick tacky glue
• Wax pick-up pen
• Wax paper and a light weight for drying

Step by step

1. Remove any dust jacket; decorate the board underneath.
2. Sketch the design lightly.
3. Work small patches with a thin layer of glue.
4. Leave the spine and hinges bare.
5. Dry flat, with wax paper between the cover and pages.

Avoid

• Runny glue that soaks the paper
• The spine hinge
• Library or valuable books